How the brain determines what is considered beautiful and what is not

Andzhan Chatterjee (Anjan Chatterjee)

Cognitive neuroscientist specializing in attention and Neuroethics.

Parameters affecting our perception of beauty

Although the idea of ​​beauty is very subjective, of whether we think someone's face beautiful or not, affects several basic parameters: average, symmetry and the effect of hormones. Let us consider each of them in detail.

• averaging. Averaged faces reflect the main features of the group. A more races feel more attractive, because they have a greater genetic diversity and adaptability to the environment.
• Symmetry. Symmetrical faces we find attractive asymmetric. Asymmetry is usually associated with developmental abnormalities. Moreover, in plants, animals and humans, it can occur due to parasitic infections. The symmetry in this case serves as an indicator of health.
• hormones. Estrogen and testosterone significantly affect the formation of facial features that we consider attractive. Although preference is specific physical characteristics for each can be arbitrary if these traits inherited and related to reproductive advantage, over time, they are common to all group.
  instagram viewer

What areas of the brain are involved in this

What happens in the brainWhen we see a beautiful person? Attractive faces activates a region of the visual cortex in the back of the brain - a spindle gyrus, which is responsible for face recognition, as well as centers responsible for remuneration and pleasure. The visual cortex interacts with the pleasure centers, thus securing our perception of beauty.

In addition, in our minds firmly entrenched stereotype of "beautiful means good." Neuronal activity in response to the beauty and kindness often overlap. This happens even when people do not think about these qualities consciously. This reflex connection serves as a biological trigger many social beauty effects. For example, attractive people find smarter, more reliable, they no longer pay them less punished.

Conversely, people with minor injuries and facial anomalies are considered less good, less intelligent, less industrious. This is reinforced by the fact that the villains are often portrayed with disfigured faces.

Understand the nature of these hidden prejudices, we can overcome them and create a society where people are judged by their actions, not by appearance.

Universal characteristics of beauty formed two million years ago in the Pleistocene. Actual criteria while reproductive success today is not so important. With the development of medicine, the advent of antibiotics, contraceptives and artificial insemination, these signs have become less stringent. Therefore, the definition of beauty has become more free and changeable.